Holding steady, #7,491 for girls today.
Popularity of Kelia since 1960
Babies named Kelia per year in U.S. Social Security records.
Data table (by decade)
| Decade | Girls |
|---|---|
| 1960s | 59 |
| 1970s | 103 |
| 1980s | 110 |
| 1990s | 293 |
| 2000s | 205 |
| 2010s | 181 |
| 2020s | 103 |
Meaning & origin
Kelia is a modern feminine name that first appeared in U.S. birth records in 1960. It reached its peak popularity in 1993, but has since remained uncommon, ranking 7,491 in 2025 with an incidence of 1 in 114,805. The name's trajectory has been stable over recent decades, with the highest concentration of bearers in Texas. Its exact origin is unclear; it may be a creative spelling of Keely or a blend of Kelly and the popular -ia suffix. The name's appeal lies in its melodic sound and similarity to names like Malia and Talia. While not historically rooted, Kelia fits well with modern naming trends favoring soft, feminine endings.
The name Kelia is a modern English invention, likely arising as a variant of Keely or a respelling of Kaelia. It may also be influenced by the Hawaiian name Keli‘i or blend elements like Kelly and -ia. Its usage in the United States dates to the 1960s but remains uncommon.
Where Kelia is most popular
Births per 100,000 girls by state, 2025. The lightest shade means too few recorded births.
“Kelia” around the world
Where Kelia lands in the latest official birth statistics abroad, matched to the U.S. spelling.
France
30
babies in 2024
Sources: INSEE (France).
Nicknames & variants
Nicknames: Keli, Kee, Lia
Sibling names for Kelia
Names that share Kelia's style, for a brother or sister.
